1.) Depreciation: drive it off the lot, and it ain't worth as much as it did 4 seconds before
2.) Maintenance: sure oil changes, air in tires, washing all part of the deal, but wash and wax, let alone hand wax? Cleaning interiors? Vacuuming? Not a joy, just a once in a while thing for me.
3.) Parking ... our driveway is not easy, and parking on NC soft clay (after a rain anyway) is a PAIN. Where will I park/house a 4th vehicle?
4.) Jockeying for "which wheels" in a family of 4.5 drivers (Rachel is on permit) ... one standard, two automatics, now w/ Lucie's knees giving out, the standard is pretty much mine, however let's move cars around to get it out of the garage.
5.) Features: we got the scion, bare bones EXCEPT for the remote door lock, that was the only optional feature. Buy new and a whole bunch of features, like can you really do without carpet mats? We did for the scion, now I kinda wish I didn't have the ADAP generics that slide all the time.
6.) Gas, gas and more gas ... and the auto needs fuel too.
7.) Insurance: 17 year old, no accidents ... "A" student: all good, but get a 4th car and insurance goes way up, not just to ensure the new vehicle, but because purportedly she has access to wheels 12X7 (curfew hours for another few months)
8.) NC tax, the price of the car is NOT the price of the car, you have to pay Gov. Purdue, we all know she needs the money more than I do. I miss NH's tax-less policy ...
9.) Where am I gonna get $400 extra a month? egads do I go credit union? 0% dealer finance? 3.75% loan from 401K?
10.) The whole buying process, sure there is Streetwise buying guide ... but I hate the whole charade they play, like the: "let me ask my boss about this price" deal ...
So the whole thing "stinketh high heaven" .... I don't wanna do it, but our "youngest" car is 6 years old ... we don't have reliable 12 or 11 year old cars, they have squeaks, pings, and their jiggles abound ... why couldn't I be born rich instead of handsome ... oh yeah, that's just my imagination again ;^)
I could go "used" and hope for the best, 'cause that's what I feel I would be doing ... I don't trust car dealers, and even if you find one you can trust, it's still a lemon roulette ... do I get a 5K vehicle that costs tons to keep up? still a loan as I don't have 5K ... how long will it last? Will I get lucky ... surely someone must love to quibble and do the whole car thang? Are you out there?
My requirements are relatively few:
* A/C is not optional, we are in NC
* FORD sorry, you are NOT in my gonna drive category, I'd rather not have a YUGO either (whole other blog post on FORD, but it is a vow I plan on keeping)
* Gas mileage is a factor ... so most gas guzzlers would be passed over
* Safety: will it get me from point A to B in one piece
